Grandiflora rose plant named &#39;KORfre0007&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘KORfre0007’ is a new and distinct variety of  Rosa hybrida  which is characterized by the combination of an upright growth habit, abundant recurrent stems and flowers which perform well as cut flowers, a very-double flower habit, a light pink flower color and also glossy, dark green foliage with above average disease resistance. The new variety propagates successfully by grafting and by stem cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/999,355 filed Jul. 23, 2014, which is herein incorporated byreference.

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosedherein is Rosa hybrida.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Rosa hybrida disclosed herein has been giventhe variety denomination ‘KORfre0007’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Rosa hybrida,floribunda rose cultivar, which has been given the variety denominationof ‘KORfre0007’. Its market class is PLT/141.

Parentage: The Rosa hybrida variety ‘KORfre0007’ is the result of acontrolled cross-pollination breeding program carried out by theinventor in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. The objective of the saidbreeding program was to create a new and distinct rose plant with uniquequalities, such as:

-   -   1. Uniform growth and flowering;    -   2. Abundant attractive, recurrent stems and flowers which        perform well as cut flowers.    -   3. Attractive and abundant foliage; and    -   4. Resistance to diseases encountered in nursery and greenhouse        culture.        This combination of qualities is not present in prior rose        cultivars known to the inventor. These objectives have been        substantially achieved and in that distinguish ‘KORfre0007’ from        all other varieties known to the inventor.

‘KORfre0007’ is a seedling selection which resulted from the controlledpollination of two Rosa hybrida cultivars during the summer of 2001.Said cross-pollination was made between the seed parent, Rosa hybrida‘Meilavio’ (U.S. Pat. No. 10,845), and the pollen parent, Rosa hybrida‘KORpastato’ (unpatented).

As part of a rose development program, Tim-Hermann Kordes germinatedseeds from the aforementioned hybridization during the winter of 2001and conducted evaluations and observations on the resulting seedlings ina controlled environment in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. Theresulting seedlings exhibited distinctive physical and biologicalcharacteristics. The new rose plant was selected as a single plant in2006 from the seedling beds due to its superior characteristics andasexually propagated for further evaluation. This new and distinctiverose variety was given the name ‘KORfre0007’.

Asexual Reproduction: The first asexual propagation of ‘KORfre0007’ wasdone by budding to seedling understocks in 2007 at the inventor'snursery in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany. These initial and othersubsequent propagations conducted in controlled environments demonstratethat ‘KORfre0007’ reproduces true to type in successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed andrepresent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Rosa hybridacultivar ‘KORfre0007’. These traits, in combination, distinguish‘KORfre0007’ as a new and distinct cultivar.

1. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits an upright habit; and

2. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits a very-double flower habit; and

3. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits abundant attractive, recurrentstems and flowers which perform well as cut flowers; and

4. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits a light pink flower color, atanthesis; and

5. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits glossy, dark green foliage; and

6. Rosa hybrida ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits above average disease resistance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color drawing shows as true as is reasonably possibleto obtain in color photographs of this type, the typical characteristicsof the buds, sepals, reproductive organs, flowers, leaves, prickles, andstems of ‘KORfre0007’, taken from plants of two years of age.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of Rosa hybrida known as ‘KORfre0007’, based upon observationsof plants of two years of age grown in nursery containers underconventional greenhouse production culture in May of 2015 at a nurseryin Jackson County, Oreg.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘KORfre0007’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2001 edition except where common terms ofcolor are used.

A botanical description of ‘KORfre0007’ and comparisons with othervarieties of Rosa hybrida are provided below.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth rate.—Moderately vigorous to vigorous.        -   Growth habit.—Upright.        -   Mature dimensions.—Approximately 120 to 150 cm tall and 75            to 90 cm wide.        -   Cold hardiness.—To date, the variety has been grown            successfully in USDA Hardiness Zone 7.        -   Propagation.—Grafting and stem cuttings.        -   Disease resistance.—Above average resistance to powdery            mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa) and blackspot (Diplocarpon            rosae) diseases under normal growing conditions in Jackson            County, Oreg.-   Root system: Fibrous.-   Stems:    -   -   Stem color.—Immature stems are Yellow-Green Group 144B;            mature stems are Yellow-Green Group 144C.        -   Intonations.—Observed intonations of the immature stems are            Greyed-Purple Group 184A; observed intonations of mature            stems are Greyed-Red Group 182B.        -   Stem surface texture.—The surfaces of both immature and            mature stems are smooth.        -   Stem diameter.—9 mm.        -   Prickles.—Incidence — Present; 20 prickles per 10 cm of            stem, on average. Size — Length ranges from 3 to 9 mm.            Immature prickle color — Greyed-Purple Group 184A. Mature            prickle color — Greyed-Red Group 182B. Shape — Deeply            concave. Texture — Smooth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Imparipinnate compound leaves; mature axillary            leaves consisting of 5 leaflets.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Dimensions.—150 mm long and 110 to 125 mm wide.        -   Abundance.—Very abundant.        -   Stipules.—Size — 15 to 25 mm long and 5 to 7 mm wide.            Stipule color — Yellow-Green Group 144B. Anthocyanin —            Greyed-Red Group 182B; present along the midrib. Stipitate            glands — Abundant; only present along margins. Margins —            Glandular toothed. Texture, adaxial surface — Glabrous.            Texture, adaxial surface — Glabrous. Apex — Apiculate. Base            — Winged.        -   Petiole.—Length — Average 30 to 40 mm. Diameter — Average            2 mm. Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 144B.            Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 144B.            Anthocyanin — Greyed-Purple Group 183C. Margins — Glandular            toothed. Prickles — Several small prickle present on the            abaxial surface. Stipitate glands — Limited number present            on abaxial surface; abundant along margins. Texture, adaxial            and abaxial surface — Papillate. Strength — Somewhat strong.        -   Rachis.—Length — Average 15 to 20 mm. Diameter — Average            1.5 mm. Color — Yellow-Green Group 144B. Anthocyanin —            Greyed-Purple Group 183C. Margins — Glandular toothed.            Texture — Papillate. Prickles — A few small prickles on the            abaxial surface. Stipitate glands — Limited numbers of            stipitate glands along margins and abaxial surface.        -   Leaflets.—Quantity — Mature axillary leaves normally            consisting of 5 leaflets. Dimensions — Average size of the            terminal leaflet is 65 to 80 mm long and 50 to 55 mm wide.            Shape — Ovate. Apex — Acuminate. Base — Obtuse. Margins —            Serrated. Texture, adaxial surface — Glossy and leathery.            Texture, abaxial surface — Matte and leathery. Juvenile            foliage color, adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 146A.            Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group            146B. Mature foliage color, abaxial surface — Yellow-Green            Group 147A. Mature foliage color, abaxial surface —            Yellow-Green Group 148B. Anthocyanin intonation —            Greyed-Purple Group 184A. Present on juvenile foliage.            Venation — Reticulate. Petiolule — Dimensions — 3 to 4 mm            long and 2 mm in diameter. Petiolule color, adaxial surface            — Yellow-Green Group 144C. Petiolule color, abaxial surface            — Yellow-Green Group 144C. Prickles — None observed.            Texture, adaxial surface — Smooth. Texture, adaxial surface            — Papillate. Margins — Stipitate glands present along            adaxial margins and on the abaxial surface.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence type.—Both corymbs with multiple flowers and            solitary flowers observed.        -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent.        -   Quantity of flowers.—Generally 1 to 4, on corymbs.        -   Size.—Corymbs are 110 to 140 mm tall and 120 to 150 mm wide,            on average.        -   Peduncle.—Length — 60 to 80 mm, average length. Diameter — 5            to 7 mm, average diameter. Color — Yellow-Green Group 144A.            Anthocyanin — Intonations of Greyed-Red Group 182A. Texture            — Glabrous with prickles present. Strength — Strong.-   Flowering laterals: — Absent.-   Bud: —    -   -   Bud form.—Short and globular.        -   Size.—Upon opening, 50 mm in length from base of receptacle            to distal end of bud and 50 mm diameter at its widest point.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Color, as sepals first unfold.—White Group 155C with            intonations of Red-Purple Group N57C.        -   Color when one-quarter open, upper surface.—Yellow Group 2D            with intonations of Red-Purple Group N57D along margins.        -   Color when one-quarter open, lower surface.—White Group 155A            with intonations of Red-Purple Group N57C along the margins.            Outermost petals with intonations of Yellow-Green Group            144A.-   Flower:    -   -   Pedicel.—Surface — Glabrous to lightly pubescent with            abundant stipitate glands present. Length — 45 to 80 mm, on            average. Diameter — 3 to 6 mm, on average. Color —            Yellow-Green Group 144A, with intonations of Greyed-Red            Group 184B. Strength — Strong. Texture — Papillate.        -   Sepals.—Diameter of Calyx — 65 to 75 mm at anthesis. Color,            adaxial surface — Yellow-Green Group 147C. Color, abaxial            surface — Yellow-Green Group 144A. Intonations —            Greyed-Purple Group 185B. Size — 30 mm long and 10 mm wide,            on average. Shape — Weak foliaceous appendages on 3 of the 5            sepals. Apex — Apiculate. Base — Flat at union with            receptacle. Quantity — Five. Texture, adaxial surface —            Hoary. Texture, abaxial surface — Smooth with limited number            of fine white hairs present. Margins — Cilliate. Stipitate            glands — Limited numbers present along margins.        -   Corolla.—Corolla habit — Very-double. General shape of            corolla — Quartered rosette; round. Shape of corolla when            viewed from the side — Upon opening, upper portion — Flat.            Upon opening, lower portion — Concave. Open flower, upper            portion — Flat. Open flower, lower portion — Concave. Aspect            — Flowers held upright. Dimensions — Large for a floribunda            rose. When open, the average corolla diameter is 95 to 100            mm and the average corolla height is 50 to 60 mm, from the            top of the bloom to the base of the receptacle. Fragrance —            Moderate. Duration — On the plant, 14 days. As a cut flower,            10 days. Senesced petals clinging. Petals — Petal            Arrangement — Not formal. Petal Count — Approximately 75            petals under normal conditions. Petal Reflex — None            observed. Petal Margin — Undulated. Petal Shape — Innermost            petals are obovate; outermost petals are orbicular. Apex —            Typically obtuse, with some retuse apices observed. Base —            Innermost petals are attenuate; outermost petals are obtuse.            Dimensions — Approximately 30 to 50 mm long and 30 to 55 mm            wide. Texture, inner surface — Smooth. Texture, outer            surface — Smooth. Petal color, upon opening — Outermost            petals, outer surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple Group            N57D. Middle zone — Yellow Group 2D, with intonations of            Red-Purple Group N57D. Basal zone — Yellow Group 2D.            Outermost petals, inner surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple            Group N57D. Middle zone — Yellow Group 2D, with intonations            of Red-Purple Group N57D. Basal zone — Yellow Group 2D.            Innermost petals, outer surface — Marginal zone — Red Group            52C. Middle zone — Yellow Group 2D, with intonations of Red            Group 52C. Basal zone — Yellow Group 2D. Innermost petals,            inner surface — Marginal zone — Red Group 52D. Middle zone —            Yellow Group 2D, with intonations of Red Group 52D. Basal            zone — Yellow Group 2D. Basal petal spots, upon opening —            Basal petal spot, outermost petals — Dimensions — 3 mm high            and 5 mm wide. Color, outer surface — Not observed. Color,            inner surface — Yellow Group 2B. Basal petal spot, innermost            petals — Dimensions — 3 mm high and 3 mm wide. Outer surface            — Yellow Group 2B. Inner surface — Yellow Group 2B. Petal            color, after opening — Outermost petals, outer surface —            White Group 155A, with intonations of Red-Purple Group N57C            at and near the petal margins. Outermost petals, inner            surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple Group N57D. Middle zone            — White Group 155B. Basal zone — Yellow Group 2D. Innermost            petals, outer surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple Group            62B. Middle zone — Red-Purple Group 62D. Basal zone — Yellow            Group 2D. Innermost petals, inner surface — Marginal zone —            Red-Purple Group N57D. Middle zone — Yellow Group 2D, with            intonations of Red-Purple Group N57D. Basal zone — Yellow            Group 2D. Basal petal spots, after opening — No distinct            coloration at the petal base, at anthesis, is observed.            General Tonality — Red-Purple Group 62A, at anthesis. No            change in the general tonality at the end of the 10th day.            Afterwards, general tonality is Red-Purple Group 62C.            Petaloids— Quantity — 15 petaloids per flower, on average.            Dimensions — Approximately 15 to 30 mm long and 10 to 30 mm            wide. Color, inner surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple            Group N57C. Middle zone — Yellow Group 2D, with intonations            of Red-Purple Group N57C. Basal zone — Yellow Group 2D.            Color, outer surface — Marginal zone — Red-Purple Group            N57C. Middle zone — Yellow Group 2D, with intonations of            Red-Purple Group N57C. Basal zone — Yellow Group 2D.            Texture, inner surface — Smooth. Texture, outer surface —            Smooth. Margins — Undulated. Shape — Generally obovate; with            many petaloids highly irregular. Apex — Obtuse. Base —            Attenuate.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity — Approximately 110, on average, and            regularly arranged around the styles. Anthers — Dimensions —            3 mm long and 1 mm wide, on average. Color — Yellow Group            2D. Pollen — Generally present; medium density. Pollen Color            — Greyed-Orange Group 163A. Filaments — Color — Yellow Group            2B, with intonations of Yellow-Orange Group 19A. Length — 5            to 7 mm.        -   Pistils.—Quantity — Abundant; approximately 90 present.            Stigmas — Dimensions — 1 mm long and 1 mm wide. Location —            Slightly superior and occasionally equal in position to            anthers. Color — Yellow Group 3B. Styles — Length —            Approximately 5 mm long. Color — White Group 155A.        -   Ovary.—Dimensions — 2.0 to 3.0 mm long and 1.5 mm in            diameter. Color — Green-White Group 157D.        -   Receptacle.—Shape — Urn-shaped. Dimensions — Approximately            15 mm high and 10 mm wide. Surface — Glaucous. Color —            Yellow-Green Group 144A, with intonations of Greyed-Purple            Group 184B. Texture — Glabrous.-   Hips and seed formation: Not observed.-   Comparisons with the Parents:

The new rose plant may be distinguished from its seed parent, Rosahybrida ‘Meilavio’, by the following combination of characteristics:

1. ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits a light pink general tonality of the corolla atanthesis, whereas ‘Meilavio’ exhibits a generally red corolla tonality,at anthesis.

2. ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits a peduncle length of 60 to 80 cm, whereas‘Meilavio’ exhibits a peduncle length of 40 to 60 cm.

The new rose plant may be distinguished from its pollen parent, Rosahybrida ‘KORpastato’, by the following combination of characteristics:

1. ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits a light pink general tonality of the corolla atanthesis, whereas ‘KORpastato’ exhibits a generally red tonality of thecorolla at anthesis.

2. ‘KORfre0007’ exhibits an upright growth habit, whereas ‘KORpastato’exhibits a spreading growth habit.

-   Comparisons with Similar Rosa hybrida Cultivars Known to the    Inventor:

For a comparison, several physical characteristics of the Rosa hybridavariety ‘KORtiglo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,385) are compared to‘KORfre0007’ in Chart 1.

CHART 1 Characteristic ′KORfre0007′ ′KORtiglo′ General tonality of Lightpink, corresponding Yellow, corresponding to corolla, at anthesis. toRed-Purple Group 62A. Yellow-Orange Group 20C. Corolla dimensions. 95 to100 mm in diameter 100 to 120 mm in diameter and 50 to 60 mm high. and40 mm high. Petal count. Approximately 75. Approximately 100 to 120.Flower duration. On the plant, 14 days. As On the plant, 4 to 6 days. acut flower, 10 days. As a cut flower, 5 to 6 Senesced petals clinging.days. Senesced petals drop away cleanly.

That which is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant named‘KORfre0007’, as described and illustrated herein.